The Best Wellness Retreats In Thailand

For decades now weary Spa-goers have travelled in droves to the land of smiles for wellness retreats. This friendly yet sophisticated, exotic yet welcoming nation is now the world’s ultimate destination for Spa and Wellness retreats. Here you will find the very best Yoga and Pilates retreats, as well as Spas where you can shed pounds or simply detox, and if pampering is top of your list, then there really is nowhere finer.

It is almost as if healing and better health happens more easily in Thailand, thanks in part to nurturing and caring hands, deliciously healthy food, superb practitioners and stunning natural surroundings. If you are planning a holiday to a health retreat, Thailand is the place to come.

Absolute SanctuaryIf you are looking for a small but brilliant, value-for-money spa hotel, then this Koh Samui hideaway is one to hole up in. A destination spa, it offers stand-out Pilates, Fitness and one of the finest Yoga retreats Thailand has to offer, with some of Asia’s very best trainers. Healthy eating is at the core of Absolute Sanctuary, with delicious, organic superfood delights on offer as well as detox and fasting meals. Add in a team of highly qualified nutritionists, naturopaths, and knock-out therapists and you have the perfect place to embark on a journey to fitness, rejuvenation and a healthy lifestyle.

KamalayaThis lush and lovely holistic Spa is a wondrous place to de-stress and to take a step back from the demands of life. With unparalleled views overlooking the southern coast of Koh Samui, the award-winning Kamalaya is a Spa with a soul. Built around a tiny cave where Buddhist monks used to come to meditate, there is a real sense of spirituality and a genuine approach to healing. A stay here works wonders for the mind and body in equal measures. With uniquely-tailored programmes, delectable food and knock-out treatments, it’s no wonder Kamalaya has got such a cult following. Karina Stewart, Kamalaya’s co-founder and master of Traditional Chinese Medicine, has played an integral role in designing these result-driven programmes - there are programmes to detox, to lose weight, to get fit and to deal with burnout, with all of them designed to help you relax, renew and revitalise. There is Yoga and meditation, Pilates and aqua gym. There are also visiting experts and evening lectures - it’s all here to help you heal, soothe and to get some balance.

Chiva-SomChiva Som is an internationally-recognized wellbeing sanctuary and a world-class specialist in every area of health and wellness. It gives a full-stack approach to maximizing physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being - it does not get better than this. There is an encyclopaedic range of spa and alternative treatments on offer at this wellness retreat, including some of the very best massages you will ever experience. The activity roster is just as impressive with T’ai chi, Pilates, meditation, Thai boxing, Zumba, AquaBox and several different types of Yoga all available.

SamahitaIf you plan to visit a yoga retreat, Thailand's Samahita has it all. Set on the south coast of Koh Samui, on one of the most ravishing, undeveloped parts of the island, lies this Yogi marvel – Samahita. The name means centred - to be in balance, to be in focus, which is the perfect description of how the previously wrought and weary feel after a stay at this results-driven haven. Brilliant yoga in all its forms is the order of the day here - both dynamic and restorative, as well as pranayama breath and meditation. The owner, Paul Dallagham, is a Yogi master, teacher and scientist with over 30 years of experience and a cult global following, and his classes are amongst the most sought after in Asia. He even trains the trainers and nothing gives him greater pleasure than to see his pupils go deeper into their practice and grow further in their expertise. When you stay at Samahita you become part of a family, of a tribe, and the strong nurturing tradition means that many guests return time and time again. The food is delectable, locally sourced, well-balanced and a delight to enjoy, and there are knock-out therapies and treatments too. This is a gem that will uncover the yogi bunny in all of us, where you will feel cosseted and cared for.

AmanpuriThe very first of the celebrated Aman resorts, Amanpuri set the benchmark for the style and luxury that this brand is now famous for. Overlooking the sparkling Andaman Sea this serene beach resort blends in with the natural surroundings and offers the perfect escape from everyday life. The Programmes, or Immersions as they are known as at the multi-award winning Spa, are created to promote profound change - they are led by the leading experts in their field, and they are all completely bespoke and designed with your goals completely in mind. There is a nutritionist on hand to sort your diet and give you a bespoke meal plan, so you can ensure that you achieve maximum results. The gym is state-of-the-art, but if you want to learn Yoga or maybe Tai-Chi, then this is the place to perfect your art. This is Aman after all, so everything is possible.

AmataraThis Phuket island Spa is hidden away in a quiet corner of Cape Panwa. Amatara Wellness Resort has now become a fully-fledged wellness retreat, offering a range of comprehensive programmes to make you feel healthier and to put a spring back in your step. You can do conventional training in their fully-equipped gym, try out some adrenalin-pumping Muay Thai boxing, enjoy paddle boarding and Pilates to give you a razor-sharp core, or practise deep, immersing Yoga to get you centred. There are lots of group classes to participate in and to keep you motivated, and when you need time out there are angelic therapists who will unravel every knot and ease your aching muscles. The food is full of goodness and is delicious to boot, so there is no feeling of deprivation here. This is a great value-for-money option which will not disappoint.

If you are interested in visiting any of the spas mentioned in our blog then get in touch with one of our wellness experts today by calling 020 7843 3597 or emailing info@healingholidays.co.uk

"Everything was excellent, except the very gloomy lighting in my room. There was no bedside switch for the lights, so I had to unplug the standard lamp - the only lamp that gave much illumination - before getting into bed. With all three lamps lit, there was not enough light to see colours when I was packing. Notwithstanding this, I intend to go again. The staff seem to get on well together. They have a high morale, and the business is well-run. It feels like a happy place."